The Center for People and Forests (RECOFTC) holds a unique and important place in the world of forestry. It is the only international not‐for‐profit organization that specializes in capacity development for community forestry and devolved forest management whilst taking a landscape approach to natural resource management. The Center engages in strategic networks and effective partnerships with governments, nongovernment organizations, civil society, the private sector, local

people, and research and educational institutes throughout the Asia‐Pacific region and beyond. With over 30 years of international experience and a dynamic approach to capacity development— involving research, analysis and synthesis; strategic communication; training and learning networks; and piloting and demonstrating— The Center delivers innovative solutions for people and forests.

To address the needs and challenges of the Asia‐Pacific region, the Center for People and Forests (RECOFTC) has developed an innovative new strategy (2018-2023) to help local people find solutions together with government, the private sector, development partners, local institutes, academia, media and others. Building on its previous strategic phases, the 2018–2023 Strategic Plan puts people at the center of change, by empowering communities, governments and the private sector with rights, opportunities for dialogue, networking, technical expertise, tools and knowledge. The Center’s results will help nearly 5 million people in and near forest landscapes live more equitably, with dignity and greater empowerment to protect themselves from the injustices of poverty and environmental degradation.

The Center is currently seeking a qualified candidate to work as Project Coordinator for the “Maximizing carbon sink capacity and conserving biodiversity through sustainable conservation,

restoration and management of peat swamp ecosystems” project and be part of RECOFTC Thailand Country Program team. The successful applicant will be based in Bangkok, Thailand. The contract duration is for 9 months from November 2019 to July 2020. The position is for Thai national only.

Background

The project “Maximizing Carbon Sink Capacity and Conserving Biodiversity through Sustainable Conservation, Restoration and Management of Peat Swamp Ecosystems” in Thailand aims to conserve and restore peatlands to increase their capacities to act as carbon sinks, as habitats for globally important species, and as sources of ecosystem services for improved livelihoods. The project is financially supported by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) through UNDP with the Office of National Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning (ONEP) as the Implementing Partner. It facilitates a transformative shift from unsustainable to sustainable and integrated use of peat swamps in Thailand. The project’s objective will be realized through three components: the

first component focusing on improving effective protection of remaining natural peat swamp forests in Kuan Kreng Landscape which is the second-largest peat swamp landscape of Thailand; the second one helping to implement innovative approaches to avoid drainage and restore peat swamps; and the third component helping to improve national strategies for land use in peat swamps. In doing so, the project will influence the production practices employed by local economic actors and will support measures to avoid GHG emissions from peat degradation and fires, and demonstrate approaches to increase sequestration through peat swamps restoration. RECOFTC together with Kasetsart University and Kon Rak Thin Association are providing technical and management services in implementing the project in all three components mentioned above from April 2018 to July 2020.

Position Summary

The Project Coordinator will be hired as a project staff member. He/she will share working time at regional office in Bangkok and at Kuan Kreng Landscape (KKL). Under the overall guidance and direct supervision of the Project Manager together with Project Director, the Programme Specialists of UNDP Thailand, and designated officials from ONEP, the Project Coordinator (PC) is in-charge of coordinating team members for field plans, the day-to-day of the project implementation at landscape level, ensuring high quality, efficient and effective project delivery on the ground according to the work and budget plans with support from relevant landscape stakeholders. The PC will work closely with field project coordinators and report directly and timely to the Project Manager. He/she shall liaise with relevant government agencies, stakeholders, civil society groups, and landscape institutes within KKL. He/she shall be responsible for assisting the Project Manager to prepare all substantive, managerial and financial reports.

Responsibilities and Duties

The main tasks of the Project Coordinator will include but not be limited to the following:

Project management and coordination

• In consultation with the Project Manager and Project Director, take the lead in communication as well as coordination for project planning and implementation in KKL according to the project result framework
• Work closely with field project coordinators and relevant project officers to prepare detailed quarterly and annual activity work and budget plan aligning with overall project document
• Plan and coordinate with field project team under the guidance of the Project Manager to ensure that the project results are systematically documented, monitored and evaluated and effectively fed into the project planning and organization’s learning mechanism
• Ensure that project visibility and communication messages are strategically delivered to different targeted audiences according to the project document, RECOFTC and UNDP visibility guideline
• Provide technical and necessary support to the field project team and ensure that team members are able to perform their roles effectively

Technical support

• Assist Project Manager in data collection, management, and analyses of the information and utilization of the information
• Provide technical support to field coordination team and liaise with Assistant Project Coordinators based at ONEP and ONEP representative for high quality, efficient and effective project delivery on the ground according to the work and budget plan

• Provide support to field coordination team in designing capacity development, participatory action research, knowledge management, networking, and stakeholder engagement in project implementation for target groups
• Supervise field coordination team in coordinating with the landscape level CSOs, CF networks, research networks, private sector and government agencies to ensure that there are proper dialogues and consultations across the sectors
• Perform any other task as assigned by the Project Manager and/or Project Director

Qualifications and Experience

The Project Coordinator will have the following essential qualifications and experience

Essential

• Bachelor Degree (or higher) in Natural Resource Management, Forestry, Social Sciences or related fields
• At least 8 years of work experience in projects related to natural resource based landscape integrated management
• Experience working on multi-stakeholder processes, community forestry or other related conservation or development issues in Thailand
• Experience in adult learning, training, knowledge and skill transfer
• Have basic background in participatory action research in topics related to sustainable natural resource management in different contexts
• Good knowledge and understanding of natural resource management and peat swamps laws, policies, and community based natural resource management mechanism in Thailand
• Good knowledge of Microsoft Office and using web based applications
• Working level of English skills with proven record of good Thai writing skills
• Thai national only

Desirable

• Proven experience in coordinating with several project partners and stakeholders
• Experience in working with UNDP projects
• Experience in facilitating meeting and networking with multi-stakeholders
• Independent with hands-on experience and able to work with minimum supervision
• Possess leadership quality, able to take on and solve problems efficiently in timely manner
• Output and outcome oriented, good time management skills
• Willingness to travel regularly and being able to communicate in southern dialect is a preferable

General

In addition to job specific skills and experience, the applicant should possess the following characteristics (including attitudes and skills):

• Familiarity with principles of social inclusion and gender equality
• Ability to work effectively in a multicultural work environment with colleagues of different nationalities and cultures
• Interpersonal communication skills, individually and in-groups, with an ability to work as an active member of teams. This implies creativity, flexibility and open-mindedness
• Initiative and ability to make informed independent judgments but commitment to team work